German Shepherd Puppies – Choosing A Healthy Puppy.

Because they are great with families, German shepherd puppies have become popular choices for pets.  A German shepherd puppy will be very loyal and protective of its family, and though small children should not be left alone with this particular breed of dog, a child taught the proper respect for dogs will become best friends with his or her new puppy.

When picking out your German shepherd, make sure the puppy is not shy or nervous.  These dogs should begin life as a curious breed.  Check the balance and angle of the hindquarters, because an imbalanced dog may never grow into a correctly angled body. 

They are also known to have problems with hip displaysia, and though you cannot guarantee that a puppy will not grow up to have this problem, you can make sure that its body is proportionate early on, cutting down on such a risk.  You can also avoid this problem by noting if the puppy is growing abnormally quickly – this is a sign of such a disease.

German shepherds are by no means a small dog breed, so be sure you have plenty of room for your puppy to grow, and be prepared financially for the dog food and dog supplies required, sometimes including medication.  An adult dog will reach between 22-26 inches measured at the shoulder and anywhere from around 55-90 pounds, depending on whether your puppy is male or female.  Note that, with this dog, bigger doesn’t mean better.

Because of the health risks involved with German shepherds, it’s recommended that all dogs of this breed be purchased from a breeder with an OFA certification.  This assures that your new pet has been bred purely, with certified adults as its parents.

With a lifespan of about 10-13 years, this dog can reasonably be expected to live a good 10-11 years.  That means that you’ll have a long and loving relationship with your German shepherd.

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